New Immigrant Rights Network LaunchedI was among more than 400 from 25 states who gathered in suburban Chicago
last weekend for the National Immigrant Rights Strategy Convention. The
gathering was called by the March 10 Movement, based in Chicago, the principal
force behind two massive demonstrations and work stoppages last Spring in that
city involving hundreds of thousands.

The
objective of the call was “To establish an independent, nationally coordinated
network and promote a national strategy which focuses on the defense and
promotion of workers’ and immigrants’ rights. Our struggle is for CIVIL AND
HUMAN RIGHTS and for all WORKERS’ RIGHT TO WORK.”

The
political framework for the gathering was a “10 Points of Unity” which included:

Unconditional legalization for ALL
No to H.R.4437 and similar senate version legislationNo to the criminalization of immigrants
No to border walls and militarization of the borderNo to guest-worker programs
No to employer sanctionsYes to expedited family reunification visas
Yes to the protection of labor and civil rights, and civil libertiesNo to deportations
No to the use of local law enforcement for immigration purposes.

But
no one was turned away. There were representatives from unions that support
guest worker programs, as well as observers—like me, from the Kansas City Labor
Party—whose organizations have not yet adopted positions on some of these
points. In general, the atmosphere was one of fraternal goodwill and a wide
range of viewpoints—of varying usefulness—were expressed.

Such
a gathering was clearly needed. The massive immigrant rights marches earlier
this year were perhaps the biggest political demonstrations in U.S. history. But
they were semi-spontaneous, put together on the run by ad hoc formations that
had no unified plan for a next step. Since then the politicians have worked to
divert the fledgling movement into the dead end of lobbying for the least
objectionable legislation and working to “take back congress” in the coming
midterm election. (No one has yet adequately explained to me just when we
ever had a congress which we now will “take back.”)

A key
component in this conference was the reaching out by conference organizers to
organized labor which met some positive response. SEIU was present in some
force. Other unions that took part in the deliberations included Farm Labor
Organizing Committee, Teamsters, UNITE-HERE, Laborers, UE, AFSCME, UFCW,
Transport Workers Union. The Smithfield and Wal-Mart campaigns were highly
visible.

A
couple of days before the strategy convention the AFL-CIO announced
a partnership
with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), the
nation’s largest day laborer association. At the convention the Teamsters spoke
about a projected campaign in support of mainly immigrant, “independent
contractor” port drivers in California. Such efforts have the potential to bring
some immediate sorely needed improvements to these workers as well as
strengthening would should be a natural alliance between unions and the
immigrant rights movement.

The gathering was largely Latino, majority
Mexican, reflecting the composition of the estimated 12 million undocumented
immigrants in this country. However, there were speakers representing Chinese,
Indian, Irish and other immigrants as well and the new organization has pledged
to reach out to all ethnic groups.

Spanish was the “official” language of the
convention but English translations were provided in the main sessions for the
monolingual, such as me.

Two sets of actions were set for this Fall.
Efforts will be made to get immigrant rights contingents in Labor Day events
around the country. There will also be various local activities ranging from
prayer vigils to demonstrations on September 30—marking the conclusion of the
present congress—to project the issue in to the election campaign.

A new organization, the National Alliance for
Immigrant Rights, was established. A provisional steering committee of about
sixty delegates representing various constituencies was selected.

All in all, this convention was a very positive
experience producing a promising new network. I’ll have more to say later and
will post links to articles about the event as they become available.

Organizing KansasMy old friend Stuart Elliott in Wichita has passed along information about
an impressive conference being put together in that city on September 7. The
theme is “Organize for our Future, Survival of the Fittest.” Featured speakers
include Stewart Acuff, director of organizing for the AFL-CIO; Greg Junemann,
president, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE);
Bob Gorman, organizer/business agent with IBEW in Washington state; Wil Leiker,
Executive Vice President of the Kansas AFL-CIO; and others.

“This is the perfect conference for union
officers, business agents, stewards, and for any union member interested in
building a larger and more effective labor movement. We encourage union people
from Kansas City, Topeka, Salina, and even neighboring states to join us.” said
Judy Pierce, President of the Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation and
Secretary-Treasurer of District 70 IAM.

NWA Flight Attendants Hang
ToughFlight attendants at Northwest Airlines have rejected the carrier’s
draconian contract take backs approved by the bankruptcy judge. They are
preparing for job actions, including strikes. The carrier asked the judge to
rule that a strike would be illegal but the court reluctantly conceded that kind
of strike breaking is staked out under the Railway Labor Act.

Peter
Rachleff has written an excellent letter of support which you can readhere.